Kinnan keeps 'Canes on even keel with discipline and high expectations

Manatee coach Joe Kinnan doles out discipline when his players get out of line. (Staff photo / Thomas Bender)

BRADENTON — They have won all 13 of their games this season, outscoring their opponents 674-141, a game average of 52-11.

Decidedly above-average.

They are ranked No. 1 in the state and, in some polls, the country.

Their head coach is a sideline-stalking legend, his players Hollywood leading men on their own campus, and two more victories put both at the vanguard of the discussion of greatest football team the area’s ever produced.

“Our mindset can’t be ‘no one can beat us,’ ” said quarterback Cord Sandberg, “because they can if we don’t play the way we’re capable of.”

It all descends from Joe Kinnan, who has established a structure and culture at the school so imbedded in success, the Hurricanes’ head coach has just three non-negotiable rules.

And, no, the first doesn’t mandate his team win every game by 40 points.

Do right. Be on time. Be at every practice. Nine words, three rules. The Kinnan Way, buttressed by a work ethic that leaves little time — or energy — for self-conceit.

“We work them extremely hard in practice,” Kinnan said. “They work hard in the weight room; we stay on them. We’re very demanding of them. They don’t have time to feel like they are hot stuff.

“We also have good senior leadership. I’ve been fortunate that our best players over the years have been our hardest workers.

“So if I’m not really that good and here I see a guy who’s an All-American, busting his butt, doing everything he can to improve, how can I sit there with less ability and say, ‘well, I’m going to slough off?’ We’re fortunate that that’s happened.”

It’s because of players like Sandberg, who’s keenly aware of his responsibility as a team leader.

“I try to,” he said. “Every day coming in, working hard, I try to be that guy they can look up to, as far as hard work and how to do it.”

The players who don’t follow Kinnan’s three rules don’t play. Or worse, wind up ex-Hurricanes.

Earlier in the season, a linebacker wasn’t doing the right thing in the classroom. Kinnan suspended him a game, then a week, before reinstating him.

“He got in trouble again in school about a week and a half later,” Kinnan said, “so, that’s how it goes.” The player was dismissed from the team.

In Manatee’s victory last week over Fort Pierce Central, a wide receiver failed to execute a downfield block. Kinnan immediately yanked him from the game for several plays.